Research Organization for Next Generation VehiclesWaseda University

The Institute was closed down on March 31, 2023.

Research on hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles power train system control and components

The Research Institute for Automotive Electric Power Systems plays a central role in the following three areas of focus.

1. High performance PEFC research for fuel cell vehicles

Fuel cell vehicles that run on hydrogen carry solid polymer fuel cells. The internal phenomena of the cell are extremely complex, with protons and oxygen transport mutually linked, in addition to the removal of heat generation caused by internal resistance and electrical contact resistance, and it is thus not an easy matter to achieve high current density operation at a low cost. There are also challenges in the durability of solid polymer membranes, and we are awaiting an explanation of their method of deterioration. This research facility possesses an array of high precision testing knowledge based on FCCJ protocols, and is working to deepen our understanding of the phenomena with the support of the highly accurate results we obtain and the mathematical predictive models based on them. Further, based on that understanding, we provide design and engineering solutions that think back to porous materials.

2. Research on lithium ion batteries

Lithium ion batteries, with their high output density, are used in electric vehicles (EV) that use batteries charged from renewable energy as their power source. Through experimentation and calculations, this research facility analyzes the excessive transport phenomena that take place within lithium ion batteries. Research uses overvoltage isolation and modeling to focus on ameliorating measures during the rate determining process of the movement of substances within the battery under numerous driving modes, rapid charging, and extreme conditions such as cold starting in cold regions. Work also focuses on explaining the deterioration mechanism to consider practical methods for detecting and predicting deterioration by monitoring battery deterioration during use.

3. Research on electric vehicle control systems

The components of hybrid, electric, and fuel cell vehicles, such as batteries, motors, and fuel cells, differ greatly from that of the conventional combustion engine. The establishment of the optimal control for diverse electric vehicle driving modes is an extremely difficult challenge. These modes include the heavy load of rapid acceleration or inclined roads, slow traffic that reduces efficiency, cold starting in cold regions, and the need for air conditioning on hot days. This research facility uses an automobile model to reproduce driving conditions, including transient conditions, while analyzing the component electricity and current to find the optimal control methods while comparing with experimental results.

Director

Takao NAKAGAKI (Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Researchers

• Yasuhiro DAISHO (Senior Research Professor, Research Organization for Next Generation Vehicles)
• Masafumi KATSUTA(Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
• Jin KUSAKA (Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
• Yushi KAMIYA(Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering)
• Jin TAKAGAKI(Professor, Faculty of Science and Engineering)

Nakagaki Lab, Department of Modern Mechanical Engineering, Waseda University

3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo, 169-8555
Rooms 225 and 322, Building 58, Waseda University